1968 L71 Convertible

[Steve P.]

Again: Going to inspect this numbers matching 1968 L71 Convertible. Other than the stamped numbers throughout the car, there is no paper work. Is there any way to tell if it has the F41 suspension or big brakes with a visual. Sorry, but as hard as I try, the pic I have won't download (Invalid Error Code) Thanks, Steve Pugsley

[Michael W.]

Re: 1968 L71 Convertible

Steve-

Sounds like you're going to see a supposedly original car which most likely is commanding an above average price. Unless you've got years of experience with inspecting these cars, you're setting yourself up for a big fall by finding out after the fact that it's a fake or a clone.

F41 suspension and J56 brakes are easy to see. Whether they're original to the car or not is the big question.

Hire a knowledgeable inspector to go with you.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 L71 Convertible

Again: Going to inspect this numbers matching 1968 L71 Convertible. Other than the stamped numbers throughout the car, there is no paper work. Is there any way to tell if it has the F41 suspension or big brakes with a visual. Sorry, but as hard as I try, the pic I have won't download (Invalid Error Code) Thanks, Steve Pugsley

Steve------

The easiest, quick way to tell if it has F-41 is to check to see if it has a 7 leaf rear spring. Of course, this could have been changed. You could also check the front stabilizer bar to see if it's 15/16" rather than the 7/8" used for regular suspension big blocks. The problem is the 1/16" difference can sometimes be hard to discern on these rather "rough finish" sway bars.

One other thing you could do is to check the rear shock lower mount shafts. Check to see if they show a raised forging number of "3829265-66" or "3829265". Of course, even these could have been changed.

The car will not have original J-56 brakes as only 1968 L-88's had this. This can be discerned by the presence of an adjustable brake proportioning valve below the master cylinder.

[Steve P.]

Re: 1968 L71 Convertible

Thanks for the advise

[Steve P.]

Re: 1968 L71 Convertible

Joe: Thanks so much for the technical info, exactly what I was looking for,

[Edward B.]

Re: 1968 L71 Convertible

Joe, according to the latest revision of the 68-69 TIM&JG (Edition 5):

The front stabilizer shaft (sway bar) is 3/4-inch diameter for small blocks with standard suspension and 15/16-inch diameter for 427s and all cars with F41.

There's no mention of a 7/8" bar and according to the manual, ALL 427's had the 15/16" bar, so is this wrong?

Ed

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 L71 Convertible

Joe, according to the latest revision of the 68-69 TIM&JG (Edition 5):



There's no mention of a 7/8" bar and according to the manual, ALL 427's had the 15/16" bar, so is this wrong?

Ed

Ed-----


Yes, it's wrong. However, I expect that at least part of the confusion comes from the difficulty in precisely measuring only a 1/16" OD difference between the big block and F-40/F-41 bars with the bar's rough finish.

3/4" stabilizer bar (small blocks except F-40/F-41)-----GM #3831971

7/8" stabilizer bar (big blocks except F-41)--------------GM #3871318

15/16" stabilizer bar (with F-40/F-41)---------------------GM #3831972

[Edward B.]

Re: 1968 L71 Convertible

We need to let the judges know then!!

Thanks Joe.

Ed

[Terry M.]

Re: 1968 L71 Convertible

Ed-----


Yes, it's wrong. However, I expect that at least part of the confusion comes from the difficulty in precisely measuring only a 1/16" OD difference between the big block and F-40/F-41 bars with the bar's rough finish.

3/4" stabilizer bar (small blocks except F-40/F-41)-----GM #3831971

7/8" stabilizer bar (big blocks except F-41)--------------GM #3871318

15/16" stabilizer bar (with F-40/F-41)---------------------GM #3831972

The only reasonably accurate way of gauging the diameter of a stabilizer bar is to use an open end wrench as a go/no go gauge. I can imagine the reaction of owners if judges were to do that. Who wants to volunteer to do it first?

[Michael W.]

Re: 1968 L71 Convertible

I volunteer Ralph Kramden. He's been too quiet lately.